Finding your calm in the chaos of anxiety

Many people experience anxiety at some point in their lives, but for some, it becomes frequent or persistent. It can feel constant, unpredictable and exhausting. You might not even remember the last time you felt relaxed.

At St Andrew’s Therapy, we offer compassionate, expert-led support to help you better understand your anxiety, manage it and feel more in control of your life again.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to danger, and it can effect your wellbeing physical and mentally. Without support, it can affect how you live, think and feel.

People with anxiety may:

• Feel tense, nervous or restless most days
• Struggle to relax even in safe situations
• Experience racing thoughts or a constant sense of dread
• Avoid everyday situations because of worry or fear

Anxiety can exist on its own, or it might be part of a wider condition such as:

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Social anxiety
• Health anxiety
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek help. If anxiety is interfering with your daily life, it’s worth talking about.

Contact us to book a private therapy session.

Common anxiety signs and symptoms

Physical symptoms:

Anxiety doesn’t just affect your thoughts – it can manifest in your body In many different ways, including:

• Racing or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Shallow or fast breathing
• Feeling lightheaded, dizzy or faint
• Muscle tension, shaking or trembling, grinding teeth
• Stomach issues (nausea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Sweating or hot flushes
• Headaches and other aches and pains
• Changes in appetite or sex drive

Psychological symptoms:

Anxiety can have an impact on our thoughts, emotions and behaviour in ways that feel overwhelming. Some of the more common psychological symptoms of anxiety include:

• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
• Difficulty concentrating or staying focussed
• Feeling on edge or easily overwhelmed
• Low self-confidence or fear of judgment
• Irritability, emotional outbursts or tearfulness
• Persistent worry or dread
• Feeling tense, nervous or unable to relax
• Intrusive or obsessive thoughts

If left untreated, anxiety can increase stress levels in the body and keep you in a constant state of ‘fight or flight’. Over time, this can impact both your physical and emotional wellbeing.

What causes anxiety?

Anxiety looks different for everyone. For some people, it builds gradually; for others, it can strike unexpectedly. There’s no single cause - it’s shaped by a combination of personal experiences, environmental factors, and biological influences. What triggers anxiety in one person might not affect another the same way.

You might feel anxious because of:

• Stressful environments - pressure at work, school or home
• Major life changes or uncertainty - such as moving, divorce, grief
• Past trauma or unresolved experiences - such as abuse, bullying or bereavement
• Health worries - concerns about chronic illness, pain or medical tests
• Genetics or family history - anxiety may run in families and increase your vulnerability
• Learned coping styles from childhood -such as fearing conflict or avoiding emotions

Additionally, anxiety often co-exsists with other mental health conditions such as depression, OCD or PTD.

Understanding your personal triggers - whether they are emotional, physical or situational – is an empowering first step toward managing anxiety more effectively,

How can anxiety be treated?

The good news is anxiety is highly treatable and there’s more than one way forward. Support can help you understand your thoughts, reduce avoidance behaviours and improve your emotional resilience and regulation over time.

We would always develop a deep understanding of your anxiety before recommending a particular therapy

You’ve got questions and we’re here to help.

If you're unsure about whether you’re experiencing anxiety, we can guide you. Are you ready to take small steps towards a clearer future?

If you’re ready to address the anxiety you’ve been living with, we’re here to help by providing clarity, support and the right care, quickly.